Nyxia - Review

Nyxia (The Nyxia Triad, # 1)

By: Scott Reintgen

Publication: September 12th 2017 by Crown Books for Young Readers

384 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

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Goodreads description--Emmett Atwater agrees to leave Earth behind when Babel Communications offers him a fortune. The catch? He has to launch into deep space to get it. One of ten selected recruits, Emmett boards the company's spaceship and sets course for a planet that Babel has kept hidden from the rest of the world.

Before long, Emmett discovers that all of Babel's recruits have at least one thing in common: they're broken. Broken enough that Babel can remold them however it pleases.

Every training session is a ruthless competition where friendships are tested and enemies are made. Each recruit must earn the right to travel down to the planet of Eden-- where they will mine nyxia, substance that has quietly become the most valuable material in the universe.

But Babel's ship is full of secrets. Secrets about the volatile substance they're hoping to mine, about the reclusive humanoids already living on Eden, and about the true intentions for the recruits.

Emmett will face the ultimate choice: win the fortune at any cost, or find a way to fight that won't forever compromise what it means to be human.

______________________________________

"Brilliant concept meets stellar execution in this fast-paced deep space adventure. I was hooked from page one."
~Victoria Schwab, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

“A high-octane thriller . . . Nyxia grabs you from the first line and never lets go.”
—Marie Lu, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Young Elites series

"Impossible to forget. Impossible to put down. This wonderfully diverse epic is an utterly thrilling binge-worthy treat." —Jay Coles, author of Tyler Johnson Was Here

I got Nyxia for review years ago, and it just kept getting put off. My bad. When I saw it available on audiobook with the elibrary, I put it on hold. It finally came around, and I can mark it off my way overdue books.

Babel Communications has recruited a group of 10 kids in need of financial assistance to take to a new planet in order to mine a substance called nyxia. The trouble: only 8 spots are available, and two recruits will not be taken to Eden. The 10 recruits have to compete in a series of tests to see who will win the 8 spots. These tests are similar to all that we seem to enjoy in series like The Hunger Games, Divergent, Fourth Wing, Red Rising, etc.

Scott Reintgen writes the contestants in a way that you can't help but root for almost all of them. A few are less likeable than the rest, but even their motivations are usually clear and relatable. This gets you attached to characters that you have no idea whether they will be sticking around or not.

Nyxia had no lack of twists. The tests that Babel constantly threw at the kids kept them and the reader on their toes. The recruits don't know who they can trust, and even when they have moments of levity, eventually, they all had to face off against each other. Babel is keeping secrets. And things are never quite what they appear.

Sullivan Jones did a wonderful job narrating Emmett. I felt his attitude, anger, frustration, and fears through his narration.

Nyxia was much better than I expected. I hate that I put off reading it for so long. Emmett's story was gripping, and I wanted to keep listening when I had to stop. Nyxia gets 4 Stars. Have you read (or listened to) Nyxia? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for To Love the Brooding Baron

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

To Love the Brooding Baron

By: Jentry Flint

Expected Publication: June 4, 2024 by Shadow Mountain

256 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction,

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Goodreads description--Opposites attract and sparks fly when the vivacious Arabella falls for a baron who lives under the shadow of a scandalous family secret.

Arabella Latham is a free spirit who longs to feel the spark of true love, but few men can match her passion for Shakespeare or her zest for life. Though her prospects seem slim, Arabella knows she can always count on the handsome but stoic Lord Henry Northcott, dubbed “The Brooding Baron” by the ton, to be willing to engage in intelligent conversation and even share a congenial dance with her at almost every ball. His quiet demeanor is the opposite of her vivacious personality, and she finds herself drawn to him, despite their differences.

Lord Northcott has quietly admired Arabella for years, grateful that his friendship with her brother has allowed him to share in her company. But he knows he cannot pursue a romantic relationship with any woman—let alone someone as bright and beautiful as Arabella—because of the shadow that an old family scandal has cast over his life. He has vowed to preserve what is left of his family’s reputation by holding himself above reproach apart from society and focusing the majority of his efforts at Parliament.

But Arabella is determined to show Lord Northcott that life is meant to be enjoyed, and she sets out to see what is behind the walls the Brooding Baron has built around himself. Could the spark of true love be enough to drive away the shadows holding Henry back?

What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

For Letter or Worse - Review

For Letter or Worse

By: Esther Hatch

Publication: March 23, 2023 by Bowker

110 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Regency

Source: Personal Kindle Library

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*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Every word in his letter spells mortification. There was only one reason young Harrison Chase moved away from his idyllic country upbringing to the long dark hours of working in a London factory—he was bound and determined to make his fortune and deserve a chance to court Christine Stone. But as years passed and his dream of making a fortune came closer into view, he realized there were a lot more important things in life than young, unrequited love. In the middle of his charge to reverse the Corn Laws, and make food affordable to workers struggling to feed their families, his housekeeper helpfully mails a letter she finds languishing amongst his things. Not just any letter—a six-year-old love letter to Christine. With no other choice, he rushes back to his childhood home on Christine’s family estate. If he can’t get his hands on that letter before she does, Christine will discover what a pitiful and pretentious fool he had been. Only, he hadn’t counted on the mail being delayed. Now, Harrison must decide which is worse—waiting with Christine as he not-so-slowly falls back in love with her, or returning to London without the letter, knowing once she reads it, he will never be able to visit her or look her in the eye again.

This book was previously published as part of the Timeless Victorian Romance Collection A Note of Change , under the title "Waiting for the Post."

Harry left home years ago to make money. He wanted to marry his childhood friend and neighbor, Christine. But as the son of a steward, he had nothing to offer her. He needed to make his fortune to be worthy of her hand and have something to offer her. While he was away, he did just that. He did make his fortune, but he also discovered a cause worth fighting for, and whether nobly or stupidly, he sacrificed all for the cause. Every penny he earned, he promised to those in position to repeal the corn laws. The worst part about that is the corn laws will likely cause Christine's family's estate to suffer. So he stuffs his feelings and tries to forget her. A letter he wrote to Christine years ago, but never sent, accidentally gets posted, and he freaks out. He travels straight home in hopes of intercepting it.

Christine is exactly as Harry remembers her, and being close to her brings all his buried but never forgotten memories and emotions back to the surface. Christine was heartbroken with the way Harry left without a word all those years ago. Her friend is home, and she hopes to confide in him that she's planning on taking a position as a governess. Christine is waiting on the very letter from her potential future employer to arrive. And thus, Christine and Harry begin to meet daily and wait on the post to arrive together.

This was such a sweet romance. I didn't want to stop reading, and I did read it really quickly. The passion that Harry wrote to Christine was palpable. And how she could respond in any way besides reciprocation would be impossible. Yet Harry is essentially in the same position as he was all those years ago. He is still penniless because even though he did make quite a lot of money, he plans to give it all away.

Esther Hatch has done it again. Really well written. I loved the characters. Harry was so stinking honorable. And Christine was truly charming. For Letter or Worse gets 4 Stars. Have you read For Letter or Worse? What did you think? Let me know!

2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge - February Wrap Up

Time for our Monthly Wrap Up for the 2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge hosted by Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know and Holly @ Words Fueled by Love!

Neither Sandy nor Holly finished any series enders this month.

Which series enders did you finish? Link the up below. Don't forget to include the title, your name, & your blog name (Ex: Requiem - Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know) Also, the February giveaway runs from February 25th - March 25th. On March 25th we will use random.org and the linky entries from the entire year to pull a grand prize winner.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Jessica wins by default.

Sunday Post - 02/25/24

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~this meme was inspired in part by ~ In My Mailbox~ It's a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

You guys! This was the craziest week. We are double-timing extra curricular activities for a while. Martial arts belt testing is on March 5th so we're just making due until then. Monday, Husband took the kids to martial arts, and then I took Big Girl to softball evaluations. This is the first year we've had enough girls in her age group to have two teams. Tuesday, we went to the library and met a new homeschool friend at the park. There was actually a whole group of homeschool families at the park this day and we hung out with them and played for a while. Then I had to go get groceries. Tuesday night, Husband ran the big kids to martial arts and immediately after that to baseball. Wednesday was a normal day. We did run my car to the oil change company Wednesday night to drop it off to get worked on tomorrow. Thursday, we had a field trip to a local dairy farm. That went well. It was with a new homeschool group that we plan to join for the fall. Thursday night the big kids did martial arts and baseball again. Softball picks up next week. Friday was finally a mostly normal day. We did have to go pick up my car. Saturday morning, I had to take Big Boy to the ball field for batting practice. Then we went for a walk as a family. The kids went to Grammy's house to hang out for a couple of hours, and I worked on consignment and mopping my house. I finished an ARC this week, and I'm having a little bit of a book hangover.

THE PAST WEEK:

Monday: Review of A Daring Proposal (Memorable Proposals, # 3) by Jennie Goutet (4 Stars)
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Rocky Mountain Journey(Sisters of the Rockies, # 3) by Misty M Beller
Today: 2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge - February Wrap Up

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of For Letter or Worse by Esther Hatch
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday?

Don’t forget to link up for the 2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge! You have until December 15th, 2024 to sign up. Each month there will be a giveaway for those participating with an end of the year giveaway too! Click on the picture below or the link above to find out more!

NEW BOOKS:

No new books.

That's it for my shelves and recaps of my past and upcoming week. What did you add to your shelves this week? Any bookish news you want to talk about? Let me know!